Academics
There’s always something new going on at Penn’s four undergraduate schools and 12 graduate schools. Look here for information on upcoming academic initiatives, new classes and research conducted by professors and students.
Dartmouth includes international students in need-blind admissions
This change means that Dartmouth will no longer consider an applicant's ability to pay in evaluating international students, as well as U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Penn Law to begin sanctions process against Amy Wax, citing 'increasing' promotion of white supremacy
In the statement, Penn Law School Dean Ted Ruger wrote that complaints from Penn community members about Wax, who is a tenured University professor, motivated his decision to initiate the sanctions process.
Meet five members of the Class of 2026 admitted via Early Decision
Penn accepted 15.63% of early decision applicants to the Class of 2026. Admission was offered to 1,218 students, comprising around half of the Class of 2026.
Annenberg Emeritus Professor Elihu Katz dies at 95
Recognized as a distinguished sociologist, and a “founding father of the field of Communication,” Katz authored over 20 books and 175 articles and book chapters during his lifetime.
Philadelphia City Council condemns Amy Wax as Penn Law weighs sanctions
The letter criticizes Wax, who is a tenured University professor, for making generalizations that are “a betrayal of the prestigious platform granted to faculty of an Ivy-League university.”
Sitting down with Penn's new president: M. Elizabeth Magill
In a wide-ranging interview, covering topics spanning from Penn Medicine and University fundraising to fly fishing, Magill spoke to The Daily Pennsylvanian after the announcement.
Meet M. Elizabeth Magill, Penn's next president — and an avid fly fisher
Magill served as provost of University of Virginia and dean at Stanford Law School and is known for her commitment to law and leadership in higher education.
University announces students affected by delayed move-in will receive reimbursement
Postponed final exams from the fall will be made up during the beginning of the spring semester in the same format they were offered previously.
Penn Libraries extends winter break hours through virtual learning period
Most libraries are open under Winter Break's shortened hours and access is limited to only Penn community members through Jan. 23.
TIME honors Penn alumnus Elon Musk, two Penn Medicine researchers among People of the Year
TIME's Editor-in-Chief described Elon Musk, who graduated from the College and Wharton in 1997, as an “example of a massive shift in our society.”
Penn Law professor Amy Wax’s anti-Asian comments spark national scrutiny
An online petition calling on Penn to suspend Wax and reform the University's tenure policy has been signed by over 800 people.
Penn moves classes online for first two weeks of spring semester, delays campus move-in
On-campus housing move-in, which was previously scheduled to begin on Jan. 8, will begin on Jan. 15 and in-person classes will resume on Jan. 24.
Penn’s Think Tanks and Civil Societies director James McGann dies at 66
McGann dedicated most of his life’s work to the development and interconnection of think tanks on a global scale.
Hundreds petition Penn to move finals online after University bans indoor social gatherings
The petition calls for final exams for large lecture classes to be moved online, citing several grievances with the enforcement of the PennOpen Pass self-reporting system and difficulties with social distancing in classrooms.
Two Penn graduates and one student named Schwarzman Scholars
College senior Daniel Ruiz de la Concha and 2019 Wharton graduates Shuxi (Shirley) Liu and Heather Tang were awarded the scholarship to study at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Penn community critiques University climate action for stopping short of divestment
Penn's climate-related initiatives ranged from its commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to its second annual Climate Week, and most recently, its decision to halt new investments in fossil fuels.
Students return to in-person, on-campus life
Classes remained largely virtual until fall 2021, when in-person instruction — as well as the on-campus party scene — resumed.
First global seminar to return to in-person travel will visit the Galápagos over winter break
The class will travel to the Galápagos Islands for 10 days after final exams to study the relationship between conservation, tourism, and local communities.
Every Ocean Hughes named School of Design visiting professor for 2021-2022 academic year
EOH will work with graduate students in the School of Design, and in spring 2022, she will give a public lecture and lead a seminar class.
